Who is Teo Jasmin and How Did They Find Me?

I recently received my first official product review request.  Me.  Product review.  Now, that's pretty stinking cool.

My first thought:  okay, I'm totally flattered.  I'll be honest, I'm thrilled anyone is even reading my blog in the first place.  Asking little old me to consider looking at their product?  Hey, you can be my BFF for the day.

Second thought: what if I don't like their stuff?  If I don't, I can't lie and say I do.  Not gonna do it.  And if you ever do meet me in person, it won't take you long to figure out I'm not going to sugarcoat anything.  I won't trash someone else's product, but I'm also not going to lie and say I like it either.  

So I'll admit, I received the request from Teo Jasmin, and while very flattered, I did start composing the "sorry, not interested" letter in my mind.  But for kicks, I clicked the shop link and ....whoooaaa, stop me in my tracks, this stuff is cool!  Really cool.  Cool stuff I would absolutely, totally, seriously buy.  I truly can't believe someone with cool stuff is asking me to write about it.

I had an absolute blast virtual shopping through the site (highly recommend you do the same, you won't regret it).  And I've chosen a few of my favorite things:

I'm not a dog person.  But even I can't resist this cute little gal.  If I had a daughter, I can assure you, this piece of art would be hanging over her bed.

Growing up, one of my favorite things to do was listen to my dad's album collection.  My sister and I listened to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" so many times, we actually destroyed it.  This bag brings back some great childhood memories.

My little guy wants a school bus for his 13th birthday (I just can't make this stuff up).  He wants "the one with the nose, not the flat one".  I chuckled when I saw this pillow.  Wonder if he would be happy with it instead. 

And this last photo is my hands down favorite.  I have a space picked out in my house for this (in the foyer, so that it's the first thing anyone sees when they enter).  And to all my friends considering buying it?  Forget it.  I saw it first.

Be prepared to ooohhh and aaaahhhhh....

Love, love, love this.  I so need this settee in my life.  And I'm really not kidding.  I saw it first.

Unfortunately, these products are not carried in the United States right now.  How can that be?  But don't despair, if you have to have it and are willing to pay the shipping fee, everything can be sent to the U.S. and surprisingly doesn't take long to arrive.

And there you have it, my favorite things from Teo Jasmin.  Now go find some favorites of your own--trust me, you'll have a hard time choosing.  And while you're at it, could someone please get this stuff in the States?  Seriously.  Preferably within a 60 mile radius of my house.  Thanks for taking care of that for me.

Is Bust a Bust?

Last month, I purchased one of 30 cooperative ad spots with Etsy for Bust magazine.   Boy, I make that sound so easy.  It was actually more like I scheduled my entire morning around being home and at my computer that day.  Sat staring at the computer screen for half an hour waiting for the spots to go on sale.  Had two separate alarms going off to remind me the day before and every hour the day of.   In any event, I won the lottery so to speak, and snagged a spot in the ad.

This past Tuesday I was informed (by a Twitter friend, of course) that the issue had hit the newsstands.

That's me-- first row, second photo from the left.

My thoughts on the ad so far?  Well, first of all, there's nothing like picking up a magazine and seeing your work in it.  Pretty darn cool and almost worth the money just for that reason alone. Business wise?  Traffic to my shop has definitely increased in the past few days.  Many more conversations going on, and yep, I've been making sales.  Can I tie any of this to the Bust spot?  Truthfully, no, I can't.  And I don't feel comfortable asking people how they found me (I'm just so glad they did!).

Will I do it again?  Yes, I think I will.  The ad is placed towards the front of the magazine (page 19), and was eye catching as I flipped through the issue.  I do love that I am placed in the top row near Etsy's name, but this was just luck and cannot be requested.  I also like the fact that many categories are featured and there is a nice variety of work represented.

The magazine seems to be a good fit for me and my designs.  And I think if you are considering this ad spot, you really need to know who your market is.  Take some time, look into who Bust's subscribers are, read the magazine.  Ask yourself if these women would buy your product.  That's what I did before spending the advertising money.

Bust ad?  Definitely not a bust for me.

I Survived Survivor.

My family is crazy.  Not that this is some earth shattering revelation I have recently discovered.  This is a fact I've known for some time.  And I'd be surprised if any one of them disagree or is offended by this remark.  They're crazy.  That's just the way it is.

But what I didn't realize until yesterday is that my family is also very, very competitive.  I'm talking win at any cost, nothing stand in my way, someone may get hurt, competitive.  Yesterday was the day crazy and competitive came together in my family.  And it was like nothing I have ever seen before in my life.

Every July for the past 8 or 9 years, my dad's side of the family gets together for a "Survivor" picnic.  My uncle plans and runs all the events for the day very much like the TV show (minus the million dollars, but you would never have known). Aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, boyfriends, girlfriends are all broken up into predetermined teams. Each team of 4-5 people sport matching bandannas and participate in food challenges, water challenges, trivia and the final relay event that wraps the whole day up.  The winning team members each get a trophy at the end of the competition.  Sounds like fun, right?

(Me and the rest of the pink team)

That's what I thought.  I'm thinking fun family picnic, catch up with the relatives.  Nice way to spend the afternoon.  But I hadn't figured the competitive crazy gene flowing through the veins of my family into this equation.  This was not a quaint catch up with your cousin picnic.  Oh, no.  These people came dressed to play and played to win.  My brother had actually cleared a spot on his mantel in anticipation of bringing home a 4th trophy (the others are not only on the mantel in his living room, but have lights directed on them as well).  There was trash talk, vomiting, penalties and talks of disqualification (absolutely no alcohol involved, I know it's hard to believe).  Strategy was whispered between team members.  Competing teams sized each other up.  A wedding band was lost in the flowing creek in the midst of the water challenge.  Nothing slowed these people down. 

In one of those "sounded like a good plan at the time" moments I volunteered to take part in the water challenge.  That's me in my freezing cold creek water soaked linen shorts.

My sister in law deserved MVP honors as far as I was concerned.  She inhaled the pork rind, uncooked spam, grass jelly (yes, grass not grape) platter my uncle put together.  She may have been the only person that didn't vomit at this leg of the relay.

(My uncle finalizing plans before the competition begins)

There was no winner in the challenge this year.  No trophies were handed out for the first time ever.  But if anyone deserved one, I would have given it to my uncle.  Because despite all the trash talk and arguing, his planning year after year plays a part in keeping this crazy family together.  Everyone shows up, people drive in from out of town and my son is counting down the days until next year's "Survivor".  My aunt even maintains a family website filled with photos of past events.  It is amazing to say the least.

So I have officially survived my first "Survivor".  And I am now quite sure I have no business competing in the actual television version.  But if Jeff Probst ever does come knocking at my door?  Boy, do I have a list of names for him.

Here Comes the Bride. And She's Dancing?

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past two days, chances are you've seen the video I'm linking to today.  If you haven't seen it, I sure hope you take the time to watch it now.  It just might be the most moving five minutes of your day.

I love weddings.  And this video reinforces the reason why I do.  I've cried at every wedding I've ever attended, and I'll be honest, I cried at this video too.

Because to me, this isn't just an entertaining walk down the aisle.  I see a happy bride and groom who love each other and are willing to go against tradition and do what they want to do.  I don't see an overflowing church filled with ridiculously expensive flowers.  I see a church filled with loving, supportive family and friends truly glad to be there (look closely at the front right pew, I think even Grandma is clapping away).   The bride and groom managed to find a handful of friends willing to wear sunglasses and strut down the aisle to a choreographed dance.  Supportive friends like that aren't easy to find, and if you happen to have one or two, I sure hope you appreciate them.  This video shows me two people starting their lives together smiling, dancing and happy to be together.  That goes a long way in building a successful marriage.

So I wish the couple well.  And I thank them for sharing these few minutes of their lives with us.  I hope if you haven't taken the time to watch the clip, you will now.  I know I'm off to see it again (and download that song while I'm there, can't seem to get it out of my head).

You'll notice I posted the link directly to Jill and Kevin's video on You Tube.  Please leave the newlyweds some well wishes while you're there.  I know I did.

 (Click the photo to see the video)

Why I'm Not Following You.

Woke up this morning to noticeably less Twitter followers.  Wondering what I said to offend so many people, I went back and checked my last tweet.  Can't imagine mentioning my latest blog post on my garden would have caused such an uproar.  And then I notice the Twitter trending topics.  Half of them are regarding cleaning house on Twitter spammers.

Happy to have them gone, actually.  But I have a different approach around here.  And I'm the first to admit I am hardly the Twitter authority.  I've been at this since late October, carefully selecting the 1,702 wonderful people I follow rather than following 15,000 people just because I can.  I read every profile before I choose to follow someone and don't feel obligated to follow those that follow me.  

So who am I?  I am loyal, that's who I am.  I will read your tweets and retweet the ones I really like.  I'll browse your blogs,  check out your website, print out your coupons, consider your business advice and tell my non-twittering friends about your products.  

But I won't follow you if you're doing any of these 10 things:

1. You're naked.  Why are you naked or half dressed in your avatar, by the way?  Go put some clothes on and we'll talk.
2. Expanding on rule number one, your first tweet is telling me to check out your pictures.  Um, yeah, I'm not checking out your pictures.  I have a pretty good idea of what you're doing in them.
3. I check out every profile page before I choose to follow someone.  Look at yours from time to time and see what everyone else is reading.  Ask yourself if you would read what you are writing.  I do this daily (I'm really not all that exciting as it turns out).
4. Are you a constant retweeter?  It's nice you're helping your friends out.  But if all you do is retweet and post links, that gets old fast.  I bet you're more interesting than you think.  Mix it up and let me know what you are doing, too.
5. Do you have a "Get Rich Quick" scheme for me?  Wow, there are so many of you out there!  Glad to hear you are all thriving right now.  Wish you'd all get together and use your skills to solve our economic woes.  Could you do that?  Please.
6. You got nothing.  I mean literally nothing.  Not one tweet.  Why aren't you tweeting?  It scares me what you might say when you do start talking.
7. Are you in the witness protection program?  Then why are you protecting your updates?  I get it if you want to keep your tweets between friends.  I'm cool with privacy.  But don't follow me and think I'm going to ask to read your updates (and I'm betting you have some awesome tweets under that lock and key).
8. Did you just list a new product today?  Good for you!  I love to check out your work and see what you're up to.  If you are tweeting about your product every 5 minutes though, we are going to have problems.
9. Don't tell me too much.  John Mayer got away with it because he was a celebrity.  And for the record, I still follow him.  And no, he doesn't follow me (again, I'm not that interesting).
10. Your twitter name is just a bunch of letters and you've got no avatar.  I don't know what you're up to, but it's not going to be good.  I'm just saying.

What do I like?  I'm a sucker for an inspirational quote, a funny joke, breaking news and I really do like hearing the funny thing your kid did today.  I will be happy for you when you succeed, so I hope you share that too.  I like the twitpics you post, hearing about the conference you're attending.  And thanks so much for letting me know that product I've been eyeing is on sale.  Basically, just like in real life, I like nice, normal people (people in clothes, don't forget the first rule about the naked thing).  

And if you're one of those people, I'd be thrilled to follow you.

What Not to Do in the Garden.

I am a gardener.  I find such joy in planting something with my own two hands, watching it grow and flower.  I'm always sad when summer is over.   But once it is, I spend the winter browsing garden catalogs and dog earring the pages of the plants I can't wait to buy come spring.  I pore through garden magazines,  research roses and read every good garden blog I can find.  And when spring finally arrives, I feed the holly, prune the roses, and enjoy every last whiff of the lilacs.

You would never know this of me this summer, however.  Because this year I took an entirely different approach and unwittingly conducted a research project on what not to do in the garden.  I got busy with work (a good thing) and pretty much did the opposite of what every garden expert tells you to do.  So here they are, the official results of my terrible experiment.

My Instructions on How to Have the Ugliest Garden in the Neighborhood:

• Want weeds?  Don't mulch.  I've found the best way to grow a garden full of weeds is to not mulch (turns out when the garden experts say it chokes the weeds, they aren't lying).  I have preened, pulled and sprayed but there is nothing I can do to stop the weeds from quickly returning.
  
• And speaking of weeds, have you ever wondered what happens when you don't take the time to pull those little weeds?  They grow up to be really big weeds.  Oh, and I've discovered they flower.  Flowers or no flowers, they're still ugly and an awful lot harder to pull out when they are 56" high.  Don't believe me?  See for yourself.
  

• Rabbits are always a nice addition to a garden.  See how this little guy skillfully avoids every weed and concentrates exclusively on eating the pretty pink hardy geranium I planted last spring.  Luckily for me, I have an entire hungry family devouring every flower he misses.
  

• And what about the plants the rabbits can't reach?  Bring in the deer, of course.  Rumor has it ours are being fed from a trough in a neighborhood backyard, but why not construct one of your own.  This will feed the deer you already have and bring in even more.  What garden couldn't use more deer!  Don't worry, these hungry creatures always have room for dessert--especially if you have roses, tulips, or lilies.

• Once you have successfully lured the deer to your garden, don't spray your plants with any sort of hot pepper spray or Liquid Fence.  Surprisingly, it does deter the deer.  I've invested in this for years and complained that the deer still ate my plants.  Haven't sprayed at all this year and the deer are eating my plants to the ground.  I should note, the weeds remain untouched.
• Container gardening is all the rage right now.  But why waste money on pretty annuals to fill your containers.  If you leave dirt in a pot long enough, eventually something will grow.
  

• Japanese beetles, anyone?  Amazing how much destruction they can cause.  If, unlike me, you're having problems attracting them to your garden, put up one of those hanging yellow bags right next to your rosebushes.  You'll attract hundreds of beetles, and some of them are bound to eat the roses instead of falling into the bag.

• And speaking of roses, I have babied mine in the past.  I prune them in the spring, sealing the cuts with glue.  I feed them monthly with rose food and Epsom salt, even give them a banana every once in awhile.  I was always curious if all this work made a difference.  Yep.  It does.  My neglect this year may have cost me half of my rosebushes.  I can't joke about this one.  It truly makes me sad.
  

So what else have I learned?  I've learned that there are plants that are resistant to every bug, every creature, every dry summer (and every neglectful gardener).  Liatris, snapdragons, lavender, butterfly bush, tickseed, boxwood, lamb's ear.  You'll be seeing a lot more of these indestructible plants in my garden next year.  Chances are you'll probably be seeing a lot more of me in the garden next year, too.  And it looks like I'll have a lot of catching up to do.

Let Me Explain.

If you follow my blog and happened to check in at any point today, you probably noticed I changed my background.

Swing by a second time?  Yep, you caught me.  Changed the background twice.  

And if you visited me three times this fine Monday afternoon, you were a witness to the day I officially turned into the crazy blog background changing lady. (For the record, we need to get you a hobby if you came here three times.  I'm just saying.) 

I don't even know how this got started.  The white space on the side of my blog has been bothering me for awhile.  But for some reason, I woke up this morning and just couldn't look at it another minute longer.  I searched online and found an awesome tutorial which inspired me to quickly design a tile for my background.  

The problem was, one design turned into another and another and as you can see, I got a little carried away.

Looks like a lot of choices, doesn't it?  Plenty more where these came from, at last count I had 50 similar images cluttering up my computer desktop.

So I take these tiles, turn them into html code, insert the code into my template and eagerly wait for the background to appear on the blog.

Oh, dear lord, this is hideous.  Took this one down at lightening speed.  If you happened to check in and see this today, I hope I haven't scared you away forever.  I also hope that you still have your eyesight.  Busy, busy, busy.  I'm going to hold onto this design in the event my plan to run away and join the circus comes through.

Dark gray background?  Thought I'd give it a try.  This reminds me of something.  Something ugly.

I really wanted this design to work and played around with it the most.  I like the waves and the color, but it's pretty busy.  I don't feel finished with this option yet.

I am somewhat happy with the design I have up now.  Not perfect and it still needs work.  But it's better than the boring white that was there before.  It does seem to take longer to load now, and I don't like that.  I also don't like that the background design appears across the entire page as it is loading (instead of just the sides).  I'll work on it.

So don't be surprised next time you're here if things look a little different.  Chances are I'll be obsessively changing for the next few days.  And don't bother checking three times a day either to see how it's going.  Trust me, it's just not going to be that exciting.